Air Quality

Consumer Resources

What Every Chicago Area Homeowner Should Know About Carbon Monoxide

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

We've all heard, seen or read heartbreaking stories involving carbon monoxide accidents in our region, but are you fully aware of all carbon monoxide dangers in your Chicago home? Moreover, are you taking preventive measures to ensure your home is safe?

Carbon Monoxide Dangers

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible gas produced as the result of incomplete burning of fuels, such as natural gas, oil and kerosene. Not only is CO invisible, it's also odorless, tasteless and potentially deadly. Even trace amounts of CO inside a home is dangerous, as it can build up to more harmful quantities in confined and unventilated spaces. In the event that backdrafting occurs in the home, CO can be sucked into air ducts and circulated through the home.

CO Poisoning: Difficult to Diagnose

CO poisoning is responsible for thousands of emergency room visits and hospitalizations each year in the U.S. Certain groups are more susceptible to CO dangers, such as pregnant women, infants, elderly, and people with respiratory ailments, anemia and chronic heart disease.

In addition to being impossible for humans to detect the presence of CO in the home by sight, smell and taste, the symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to symptoms of many other common illnesses prevalent during the heating months. This often makes it difficult to diagnose CO poisoning.

CO poisoning symptoms include confusion and disorientation, dizziness, weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting and chest pain. If you or someone in the home experiences symptoms, seek immediate medical attention and contact your HVAC professional to inspect, identify and repair the source and presence of CO in the home.

Preventive Measures

There are preventive measures you can take to keep your home safe from CO dangers. Annual HVAC inspection, maintaining working CO detectors and recognizing symptoms of CO poisoning are three of the more effective tasks. Make sure the furnace, water heater and other fuel-burning systems in your home are tuned up and working efficiently and safely before winter weather sets into Chicagoland.

For more vital information about carbon monoxide dangers, prevention and detection, contact Comfort24-7.com to speak with a certified HVAC company near your Chicago area home.